Indianapolis Times, Volume 33, Number 246, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 February 1921 — Page 9

WRIGHT TRIES TO PUT REPORT IN NEW LIGHT State Highway Director Reviews Accounts Board Statement. ADMITS SOME CHARGES Admitting the charges of the State board of accounts In some cases, seeking to shift the blame in others and declaring the examiners of the board “juggled” figures In still other instances, L. H. Wright, director of the State highway commission, made ia long statement concerning the affairs of the commission to a little group of members of the House of Representatives and outsiders in the House of Representatives last night. Mr. Wright In the course of his statement : 1. Said he had recommended that the “revolving fund” of the commission, which totaled more than two million dollars, be deposited with the Aetna Trust and Savings Company because he is a director of that com- , pany and for this reason thought he would receive special favors from the company. 2. Declared that the revolving fund was handled and advance payments of freight to contractors were made on the advice of the State finance committee, of which Governor James - P. Goodrich was the head, and of Jesse E. Eschbach, chief examiner of the State board of accounts. ~ 3. Admitted that in many cases material was purchased without advertising for bids, but merely asking concerns personally Jor bids. 4. Declared that if he had his work to do over he would not change it in any material particular. 5. Insisted that examiners of the State board of accounts deliberately "Juggled” figures in their report to show the overhead expense of his department to be much higher than It actually was. 6. Asked that the State highway department be granted a 10-cent levy and more, if possible, declaring it would need at least $13,000,000 this year. SUBMITS HIS FINANCIAL REPORT. In the course of his statement Mr. Wright submitted a financial report of his own In which he attempted to show that the overhead of his construction department is about 625 per cent. He declared that the administration and office expense of the department amounted to only $17,323 during the year ending Sept. 30, 1920, or six-tenths of 1 per cent of the total of $2,506,635.16 spent *Osy the department. He declared the overhead In the maintenance department amounted to 3.6 per cent. He arrived at the overhead expense of the construction. department by adding 5.65 per cent of what he termed the actual overhead of the department to .6 per cent of the offhe. The overhead of the bridge department he placed at 7 per '-ent. Mr. Wright contended that the report of the board is wrong in stating that a large surplus remains in the treasury for road department payments this year. He s&M on Feb. 10 the balance in favor of the commission was $1,509,191 and that $1,882,836.20 must be paid contractors for work now under way, leaving a deficit of $372,645. SAYS $13,000,000 V REQUIRED NEXT TEAR. He said the amount available this year from taxes would be $2,262,000; from automobile licenses. $2.0’K),000. and from inheritance taxes $500,000, making a toal of $4,762,000. Next year on a basis of a JO-cent levy he said the total would be $8,400,000. He said that In addition the Btate must take up during the next two years $4,180,000 In Federal aid funds In addition to another possible $2,800,000 which may be appropriated. He pointed out that on this basis the commission must then have about $13,000,000 next year.

Mr. Wright made a detailed statement s ot 4be working of his department In addition to the figures in his financial statement. He said the cost of laying out the roads In Indiana is much less than In other States, stating It amounted to only slightly over SB,OOO for laying out 3,200 miles of roads while the State of Wisconsin paid $o a mile for lading •ut Its roads. The revolving fund, the use of which the board of accounts criticised, he said, was made necessary because of the fact that the auditor's office will Issue vouchers only twice a month and It was found necessary by the highway commission to make payments at more frequent intervals. He expressed the hope that some way could be found to place the administration of these funds in the hands of the Auditor of State. He said the plan was that of the State board qf finance, the Attorney General and the Btate board of accounts and not that of the highway department. He said the board ot accounts even selected the forms to be used In connection with the fund. FIJfAXCE BOARD INCREASES FIN'D. The department started with a fund of $5,000 which the finance board Increased at Intervals to $25,000, $50,000 and finally to $75,000. “The auditor gave me a check for the amount necessary each month, and it was ordered deposited with the Aetna Trust and Pavings Company because I requested that It go there," Mr. Wright said. “I am a-director of the Aetna Company and that may have been the reason I asked that it go there. I believed I could get special favors there. At times she account was overdrawn as much as $40,000 and the company "carried us.” Mr. Wright contended that the more than $2,000,000 deposited with the Aetna Company was In no sense deposited on Ills personal account but was deposited on the account of “L. H. Wright, director." He said checks for pay rolls Land materials go ont of his office every |day and the cancelled checks are turned over to the auditor. ”tff the Legislature can devise any better way to take care of that money I would be thankful," Mr. Wright said. “The commission makes the statements that freight payments were made for contractors and that this gave successful bidders an advantage over unsuccessful bidders,” he continued. “It is not true that this practice gave them an advantage. This provision was contained In our proposals and every contractor had the opportunity to take advantage of It.” BAT 8 ESCHBACH APPROVED. He eald the railroads granted a' redaction on freight paid by the State and that the war tax was eliminated. He •aid the payments were made with the approval of Mr. Eschbach and the attorney general. He pointed out that the State retains 20 per cent of contract prices and that in this way It is protected. Mr. Wright next took up the charges of the board of accounts that the minute record of the commission Is not complete. He admitted that the names of the unsuccessful bidders were not listed In the minutes because the commission paesos only on the successful bid as awarded by the director. He said, however, that all bids submitted are on file in the commission's office and accessible to the public. He said that in some cases bids had been taken for automobile bodies and graders and the commisalon

Marine Is Retired

: X4 “'"V

Capt. Charles Dunbeck of Anderson, for eighteen months in charge of marine recruiting in the Indianapolis district, comprising Indiana and Kentucky, with headquarters in this city, has been retired because of enlarged heart resulting from wounds received in the world war. Captain Dunbeck was wounded twice and badly gassed once. Captain Dunbeck was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism by the United States Government and also the Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre by the French. He enlisted in the Marine Corps In 1903 and served for fourteen years as private and noncommissioned officer, rising to the rank of sergeant major. At the oubreak of the war he was commissioned a second lieutenant. He was a member of the first detachment of Marines which landed In France In J une, 3917, and served with the sth Regiment of Marines throughout the entire campaign in France, taking part in the battles of the Chateau Thierry sector, St. Mihiel, Soissons, Champaigue and the Argonne-Mense.

had purchased more than the original specifications called for. The highway director Insisted that every transaction in connection with the constructs nos the garagA was regular and legal. He said the original bid was $56,000, which did not include lighting, heatiug and fixtures. He said this brought the price up to $07,000. He said that after the garage was built it was found that the roof did not meet with the city fire inspection requirements and it had to be reconstructed, bringing the price up to something more than $71,000. He said it also was found necessary to equip a laboratory in the garage building at a cost of more than SI,OOO. "The plans and specifications were drawn before the contracts were advertised* for aud every contractor had a copy,” Mr. Wright said in answer to charges of the examiners that the minutes of the commission showed Wright had been ordered to “let the contract aud draw the specifications.” In speaking of the $5,000 expenditure for testing, which the report criticises, Mr. Wright said Purdue University, where the law says road materials must be tested, refused to test certain kinds of materials and charged much more for materials It did test than charged by commercial laboratories. „ CHARGES EXAMINERS USED WRONG BASIS. In discussing the supplemental report of the commission comparing the Indiana highway department with that of other States, Mr. Wright said the basis on which the examiners figured the Indiana overhead is entirely erroneous and that there is not a highway commission In the country run more cheaply than the Indiana commission. “What is the average cost per mile of roads, including overhead and everything else*” Mr. Wright was asked by a member of the House. “I believe $38,000 would cover all of it,” he replied. In reply to another question he said he did not figure depreciation of equipment in with the cost of road construction. A number of members of the House complained to Mr. Wright that their counties had paid large sums into the highway fund in the form of taxes and automobile licenses and that they bad not received an apparent return. Mr. Wright replied that in this matter he would “pass the buck" to the members of the commission who lay out the roads and designate the ones to be paved and the ones to be maintained.

Hoosier Deaths

SHELBTVILLE— Henry Wlsker, 60, is dead from a complication of diseases resulting from a paralytic stroke. He was an influential retired former of the county and widely known man. He is survived by one brother, Anthony Wlsker of this county Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Christ, 53 years old, is dead at her home here from asthma. She is survived by her husband. Bud Christ; one daughter, Mrs. John Davis; one son, Homer Christ of Kokomo; one brother, Edward McKinney of this county, and one sister, Mrs. William Jones of Wellington, Kan. GREEXCASTLE—Mrs. Martha Brown, 86, is dead at the home of her son, Harry and. Brown, north of this city as the result of three months’ illness, which was the first serious sickness of her life. She hag always made her home with her s<jn, Joseph Brown, the father having ; died when the boy was quite young. Mrs. Brown was born In Ohio and has | lived in lowa, Kansas and other Western ! States. She passed through Indiana when i the country was a primeval forest. The 1 family came to Putnam County forty-five I years ago from lowa and has made Us I home in Monroe Township since that i time. Besides the son, Mrs, Brown is survived by a daughter, Mrs. C. E. Lesser of Chicago. She was a member of the j Episcopal Church at Greencastle. | MARION—J. B. Ross, local ticket ! agent of the Big Four rr.llroad, is dead at his home here following an attack of heart trouble. Mr. Ross had been in the service of the Big Four railroad since 1885. having worked for the company at Winchester, Anderson, Wabash and Marion Chester Miller, 83. prominent . Marion resident, died Monday morning ; following a brief iUness. He bad been an employe of the Big Four railroad for jthe past nine yejars... .Mrs. Anna Smith, 64, prominent West Marlon resident, is deed at her home licre following an Illness lasting all winter. She is survived by three daughters. X OBLF.SVT LLE—Mr*. Rachel Carey, 90, widow of Isaac Carey, is dead nt the home of her daughter. Mrs. John Kemp, In Carmel. Mrs. Kemp Is the only child surviving. Mrs. Carey was the oldest continuous resident of Hamilton *'ounty, having been born here and never lived elsewhere. OOLEMRES—Mrs. Mollle Xewsom. 62, died suddenly at the home of Mrs. Mary A. FisUgr here Sunday evening. Mrs. Xewsom had attended two caureh services during the day and after the evening service called at the home of Mrs. Fisher. After seating herself In a chair she died immediately. She wrs che widow of John S. Newsom, formerly well known here, and the step mother of .'u>!u Xewsom JewelL a widely known singer, who Is now In Roane. HARTFORD CITY—Mrs. Alonzo Bobhs. 63, wife of • prominent fanner north of this otty, died Sunday. She was widely known In the county.

DEMOCRATS PICK THOS. MEEKER AS CITY CHAIRMAN (Continued From Page One.) either by committeemen present or by committeemen holding proxies for absent members. Frank B. Ross, retiring city chairman, who presided at the convention, read a letter from Dick Miller, Democratic candidate for mayor in 1917, and other party leaders spoke briefly. Although the committee on rules, organization and order of business, composed of Thomas D. McGee, chairman; Frank N. Stewart and Louis Larsh, proposed and had passed a rule prohibiting nominating speeches, Mr. Ross permitted Mr. Riley, as a matter of courtesy, to make a speech. PROPOSES THAT BOTH WITHDRAW. Mr. Feeney’s backer, foreseeing the utter rout of his candidate, made the proposal that both Meeker and Feeney withdraw. Mr. Riley went to great length to state that some harsh things had been said about Frank P. Baker, one of the leaders who backed Mr. Meeker and about himself, but that this was due only to the heat of the fight. He said statements to the effect that he was working for the Jewett Republican organization because he was the minority member of the board of public works were due to “nothing more than jealousy and green-eyedness.” “The only thing I want you to know,” he said, “is that the law creates the position of minority member and It had to be filled by some Democrat and my friends' thought I was the best man for the place.” He defied his enemies to say that he had ever been anything but courteous and honest In hi#, administration of the public yffice which he has held. The militant resolutions adopted were as follows. This is the first time the Democratic party of the city of Indianapolis has met since the election last fall. While beaten in the election we are n#t dismayed. The principles we then advocated we still advocate, and we repeat with pride that the eight years of administration of Woodrow Wilson are among tho greatest in the history of the republic. Congress has been in control of the Republican party since 1918, and that whole period has been barren of such legislation as is necessary In this great area of reconstruction. About all that the Republican party has done since the armistice Is to criticise with partisan venom the great accomplishments of the Democratic party and to tinker with the tariff; it has shown no capacity to meet the present needs of the country. Many of the voters nf the last election voted the Republican ticket because they wanted a change; they have got it in the shape of lowered wages and business stagnation, while taxes have mounted up to a frightful extent. In the State of Indiana the Republican party has been one of waste and incapacity. Our splendid highway law has been abused by partisan folly, until it is now admitted that for everr dollar spent on our highways 39 cents were wasted in salaries and graft. Unde# the Goodrich tax law the people of Indiana are robbed right anil left and for a remedy they are turned over to gentle mercies of a bipartisan tax board that has inereased taxes without reason aud in defiance of public opiuion The Republican Legislature, now in session, will give no relief from our enormous tax burdens and it is spending much of Us time in increasing salaries and the expenses of the State government, while not one act has been Introduced tending to reduce the unnecessary burdens of the people. In the city of Indianapolis our city government has become a stench In the nostrils of our decent people. We find the city hall and the courthouse crowded with party hangers-on whoso principal occupation is drawing salaries and setting up political schemes for the gang thut misgoverns the city. CALL ATTENTION TO BAD STREETS. Our streets have been in a deplorable condition for four years and the mayor of our city will go down to history with the proud distinction of having been familiarly known as “Cbuckbole Charlie.’ 1 Under the rule of the present city ad ministration there has been a weakness In the administration of the law. I’olitlcal hangers-on have been allowed to violate the laws with impunity and when convicted they have bean allowed to escape under suspended sentence or pardons issued by a complacent Governor. The expenses of the city administration have Increased enormously, and. instead of relief, there is a well directed attempt to increase salaries by legislative enactment. Under Republican rule there has been an enormous increase in the tax valuation of all of our real estate and a cor responding Increase In the rate of taxation. In many Instances real estate Is valued beyond its selling price and the result is that our taxes have beeu nearly doubled. In view of the conduct of the Republican party as herein set forth we declare the following principles for the guiduuce of our party In this cits. We pledge ourselves, If our party Is successful, to cut down all unnecessary expenses In the city government; we pledge ourselves to the cutting down of ail taxes and against the Increase of salaries in any direction. We pledge ourselves to a clean and equal enforcement of the laws, playing no favorites and extending no clemency to persons found guilty after a fatr trial. We pledge ourselves to the enforcement of all laws against illegal liquor traffic, against gambling and against ail vice In general, and against suspended sentences for thosa who have beeu found guilty. We pledge ourselves to make the fire and police departments os efficient as possible and to keep partisan politics out of both. We pledge onrselves to the principles of the budget system in the expenses of the elty government and in favor of abolishing all useless and expensive commissions and political hangers-on. Wo welcome the help of our women in making our city government clean and efficient, and wo believe In appointing women to such offices as they are peculiarly capable of filling.

Negro Worker Victim of Fatal Sewer Gas James Benton, 56, negro, was kUled by sewer gas while working In a sewer at Montcalm and Twenty-Second streets today. Fellow workmen dragged him through the manhole and a pulmotor was used for an hour In an effort to save his life. The body was ser/t to the city morgue by order of Coroner Paul F. Robinson. Benton and Ben Burrett, another negro, had the contract for cleaning the sewer and Benton started to work before Burrett arrived. Percy Taylor, who w*as passing, heard Benton’s cries. Obtaining a rope, with the aid of workmen he pulled Benton out. The man was alive, but died within a few moments. His home was at 1436 Roosevelt avenue. Indiana Farmer Killed Special to The Times. MENCIE, Ind., Feb. 22.—George Brady, 86, farmer, was killed last night when the automobile in which he was riding with four grandsons skidded on wet gravel end overturned in a ditch near DalesvUle.

Baby Blinded from Eczema "The child's head and face were almost a solid sore. The eyes perfectly blind. Doctor said the worst case he had ever seen. Onr tample of D. D. D. did w onderful work. a complete cure fol- ■ lowed.” Tiio. J. Dorminey. Jemison, Ala. You write, too, to the D. D. D. Company of Chicago for a sample and get immediate relief. Or. come in and we will tell you what D. D. D has accomplished In your own neighborhood. Four money back unless the first bottle telieves you. Sic, eoc and ti.oo. Z3s.ED.fi3>. IHL lotion ior Shin Disease

INDIANA DAILY TIMES, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1921.

29 IRISH SLAIN SINCE SUNDAY Ten Victims Branded ‘Spies' by Sinn Fein. DUBLIN, Feb. 22.—At least twentynlne persona have been killed In Ireland since Sunday, according to a casualty list compiled here today. None of the dead was a soldier or policeman, but many of the victims were listed as “spies." The republicans have opened a grim warfare against men within their own ranks suspected of traitorous conduct. Ten of the civilians found shot to death since Sunday bore cards w’lth the word “spy” or were otherwise Identified as victims 't the Sinn Feinors. SEE STRENGTHENING OF CROWN’S HAND LONDON, Feb. 22.—Sinn Fain has strengthened the government by weekend attacks in England, British newspapers assert. They point to the impression made In Parliament when Sir Ilamar Greenwood took full advantage of Sinn Fein aggressiveness to make a slashing attack on government critics. Greenwood read documents captured in raids. Woman Is Held on Larceny Charge SnELBYVILLE, Ind., Feb. 22.—Mrs. Carrie Stephenson of this city, was arrested here Monday on a grand jury indictment charging her with robbery and grand larceny. The Indictment Is one of the five returned by the grand Jury in its partial report to the court, following a week of investigation. Mrs. Stephenson is said to have taken S4O from Peter Pickett, an aged man who was calling at her home for some tobacco. The money was taken from his trousers pockets and when he missed It later In the day he reported to the officers. The money was recovered by tho police. Shelbyville Plans for Kiwanis Club Special to The Time*. SHELBYVILLE. Ind., Feb. 22.—Plans for the permanent organization of a Kiwanis Club In this city, will be discussed a a dinner to be held this evening. when J. N. llromert of Indianapolis, lieutenant governor of the Indiana District of Kiwanis Clubs, aud A. T. Wyrlck, president of the Franklin Kiwanis Club, will he present. , Temporary officers will be elected and arrangements made for a membership drive. An attempt was made to organize a Kiwanis Club hero a year ago, but failed to receive support and was dropped. A number of business aud professional men have taken up the idea and the organization is pYactically assured. Success Is,Probable for Qyaker Budget Freda! to The Tims*. RICHMOND, Ind , Feb. 22.—Success Is crowning tho efforts of representatives of the Friends Forward Movement who have presented the appeal of the united financial budget of the five years meeting In all of the yearly meetings, It was announced at the central offices here. While the total budget for this year Is more than $357,000, there has been an acceptance of qnotas to date equaling $336,000, It Is said. Woman Dives Through StreetjCar Window Special to Th* Timas, MARION, Ind., Feb. 22.—Panic-stricken because of the explosion of a heating stove on a street car. Mrs. Lola Wolf was seriously cut about the arms and wrists In breaking through a window of the car. Motorman Ollie Cook was burned slightly about the face and hands. Foxes Too Numerous; Farmers Plan Drive Special to The Times. MARION, Ind., Feb. 22.—Special permission is to be asked of George Mannfeld, superintendent of game and fisheries of the State department of conservation, to hunt foxes in Monr.te township. The foxes have beoorhe such pests that it is planned to unite the farmers In a determined effort to exterminate the animals.

TODAY’S A!D TO BEAUTY

Hair is by far the most conspicuous thing about us and is probably the most easily damaged by bad or careless treatment. If wo are very careful In hair washing, we will have virtually no hair troubles. An especially flue shampoo for this weather, one that brings out all tho natural beauty of the hair; that dissolves and entirely removes all dandruff, excess oil and dirt; can easily be used at trifling expense by simply dissolving a teaspoonful of canthrox (which you can got at any druggist’s) In a cup of hot water. This makes a full cup of shampoo liquid —enough so it is easy to apply it to all the hair Instead of just to the top of the head. This chemically dissolves all impurities and creates a soothing, cooling lather. Rinsing leaves me scalp spotlessly clean, soft and pliant, while the hair takes on the glossy richness of natural color, also a fluffiness which makes it soem much heavier than it is. After a canthrox shampoo, arranging the hair is a pleasure.—Advertisement. You Never Forget Pyramid The Relief Makes A’ou a Firm Friend for All Time and A’ou Ease the Good Word Along. Ask anyone who has ever used Pyramid Pile Suppositories what .it means j / . a fMm sw to get relief from Itching, bleeding or protruding -plies or hemorrhoids. Ask the nearest druggist anywhere In the U. S. or Canada for a 60 cent box. Be sure you get Pyramid Pile Suppositories and take no substitute. Pyramid has certainly brought a world of comfort to a great host of people who suffered, many for years. If you would like a free sample, send your name and address to Pyramid Drug Cos., 608 Pyramid Bldg., Marshall, Mich. —Advertisement

Big Increase Shown by Equitable Life The sixty-first annual statement of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States shows that the new insurance In 1920 totaled $529,559,921, and on Dec. 8L the outstanding insurance passed the $2,656,500,000 mark. An increase of over -$27,000,000 is shown in the total assets. Including a net Increase of $24,000,000 in mortgage loans. Over $72,683,000 was paid to policyholders and beneficiaries in death claims, matured endowments, dividends, annuities, etc., during the year. The mortality rate was the lowest in the history of the company. The average policy issued was $3,440, as against $2,296 five years ngo. A large Increase was made In the number of policies payable on the monthly Income plan, as well as those taken to protect business Interests and to provide for inheritance taxes. Sargent-Gerke Cos. New Name for Firm Announcement Is made of the reorganization of the Sargent Paint Company into the Sargent-Gerke Company, with a capitalization of $200,000, and the following officers: President, W. H. Gerke, formerly general manager of the MartlnSenour Company. Chicago; vice presi-

II W"H. BLOCK C? Hart Schaffner & Marx clothes for men, young men and boys (8 to 18)

PRICE Sale of Our Entire— Third Moor—Stock of Hart Schaffner & Marx Suits and Overcoats For Men and Young Men Thousands of Garments -Many NEW GOODS

Every $45 suit, half price.. $22.50 Every SSO suit and overcoat, $25.00 Every $55 suit and overcoat, $27.50 Every S6O suit and overcoat, $30.00 Every $65 suit and overcoat, $32.50

From ( Every $40.00 suit and overcoat, $20.00 ) From Other ( Every $35.00 suit and overcoat, $17.50 , Other Makers [ Every $25.00 suit, half price . . $12.50 ) Makers X r-Thiid Floor.

dent, John N. Carey, president StewartCarey Glass Company, Indianapolis; secretary, H. G. Sargent, formerly secretary of the Sargent Paint Company; sales manager, F. B. Keuthan, formerly sales manager of the Martin-Senour Company, Chicago. The plant of th# old Sargent Paint Company is being remodeled and new equipment installed to increase Its production. Bullet Wound Gives Police Search Cause Cecil Hall, 17, negro, 877 Bdgemont street, is held In the detention ward af the city hospital today until the police can complete their investigation of the way in which he received a bullet wound In the right thigh. Hall said he found a revolver 'and started to remove the cartridges when the weapon was discharged. He said he tossed the weapon Into Fail Creek for fear that ho would be arrested. He said the gun was .83 caliber, but police say the wound looks as if It had been made by a .22 caliber bullet. GOVERNOR ON SOCIETY PROGRAM. r Governor McCray and Representative Paul Haworth are to be th speakers at .the dinner of the Indiana Society, Sons of the Revolution, at the University Club this evening.

500 Sticker Guests Call on Traffic Cop More than 500 persons visited the office of Captain Johnson, in charge of the traffic department, yesterday, answering of '’stickers” placed on theJr machines during the week-end. The “waiting line” started a short time before 9 o’clock and was continuous until about 8. Charges ranged from parking overtime to violating the newly enforced dirty license plate ordinance. Captain Johnson said most of the “stickers” were for overtime parking. He said the ruling made by Judge Walter Pritchard of city court several weeks ago In which ho held that the parking limit ordinance is illegal was made legal by the city council. His men have placed “stickers” on machines parked overtime since February, he said. Five Superior Court Judges to Make Rules The five Superior Court Judges of Marlon County, the Circuit and Criminal Court Judges will meet Saturday in the Criminal Court for the purpose of amending the rules governing court procedure. No announcement has been made relative to the proposed changes.

The Celebrated Hart Schaffner & Marx Money-Back Guarantee is given in its entirety—in its full force— even though you save half!

Every S7O suit and overcoat, $35.00 Every $75 suit and overcoat, $37.50 Every SBO suit and overcoat, $40.00 Every SBS suit and overcoat, $42.50 Every S9O suit and overcoat, $45.00 Every $95 suit and overcoat, $47.50

WAGE CUT TEST LOST BY ROAD Labor Board Decides A., B. & A. Must First Prove Pay Unreasonable. CHICAGO, Feb. 22 Railroad employers of the nation today had loat their test case before the United Statei Railroad Labor Board for Immediate reduction In wages of employees. The board, In a decision rendered to the Atlantic, Birmingham & Atlantic Railroad, In effect said: The fact that a railroad cannot pay the wages fixed by the labor board doe* not empower It to notify its employe# that wages are to be cut; the road must first prove that the wages are not "Just and reasonable.” The A., B. & A. case follows l Tho road posted notices seven weeks ago that wages were be cut. Employes appealed to the labor board, which decided In favor of employes. It has been generaUy reported that railroads all over the country Intended to post wage reduction notice® in case the A., B. A. won.

9